British Ambassador pays farewell visit to Minorca

Sir Stephen first visited Minorca soon after his appointment in May 2003, but he stressed that he didn't want to end his time in Spain without returning to the island. “It's a real pleasure for us to be here”, he explained, accompanied by his wife, Lady Abbey Wright, and he revealed his visit has two aims: to say goodbye to Minorca's politicians and figures of authority, and “to see this jewel in the Mediterranean which has such close relations with the United Kingdom”.

Sir Stephen spoke about the importance of the connections between Britons and Minorca, whether it be in tourism -- he reminded that some 500'000 British tourists were forecast to visit the island this year -or as residents, remarking that nearly 5% of Minorca's permanent residents are British. Sir Stephen affirmed that, “the British contribute to life on the island in many ways”. Relations between the UK and Minorca “have always been important, and continue to be so”.

Reflecting on the four years he has spent in Spain, Sir Stephen commented how he has not faced any major concerns in relation to the Britons living on Minorca. Sir Stephen encouraged those ex–pats on Minorca and in Spain in general to get involved in the local community, to register their presence with their town halls, and to participate in local society. He noted how traditionally, Britons in Spain were somewhat isolated from locals, “but little by little, they have begun to integrate, with their families and their jobs”. Over the past four years, Sir Stephen has seen a change in the kind of Britons moving to live in Spain. “Elderly people have always come and will always come here, but we're noticing more and more young people coming here to live and work”.

Spain has also changed considerably during the time Sir Stephen has spent in the country. His appointment has overlapped a change of central government, and he was also in Spain at the time of the Atocha terrorist attacks. “It was a real shock for everyone”, he recounted, “they were very difficult, terrible times for Spain”. Regarding the Spanish Government's decision to withdraw residents' cards for EU citizens living in Spain, Sir Stephen recognised that there is a degree of confusion over the change, and the embassy is keen to minimise this. Sir Stephen reminded that the loss of residents' cards actually implies EU citizens have greater freedom in Spain, something he considers to be “an advance in civil rights”. But even so, the embassy recommends Britons continue to carry some form of identification on them.

Sir Stephen will return to London in May. Although he has lived abroad for many years, he confessed to the Bulletin that what he will most miss about Spain is the light. “We are both amazed by the quality of the light here, nothing like grey London!”